The MediaMaestro is a well-known and much-loved comedy performer who several years ago realised that she could do something to help lonely people at Christmas. She started a hashtag #joinin on Twitter, and encouraged people to chat about what they are doing on Christmas Day. Every year, she spends hours online on the big day chatting to people and encouraging them to start their own conversations with each other. Absolutely brilliant. Well done Sarah Millican!

The MediaMug is. er....a film. In a shameless attempt to make more from the ABBA phenomenon, a sequel - "Mamma Mia - Here we go again" has just been trailed. The Meryl Streep character has been killed off (or maybe she decided to give the film a body swerve), and Cher makes an appearance as the mother of the character Meryl played (still with me?). Anyway, since Cher is only three years older that Meryl, that must have been a medical miracle. Anyway, here's the traller - see what you think.

HO, HO, HO!

Humour is a valuable tool for any speaker. If you want to make a strong point, deliver it on the back of a laugh, and your audience will remember it. Unfortunately, many speakers try to use "recycled humour". In other words, they either try to tell jokes, or repeat a story that they have heard another speaker use. Neither is a good idea.

Humour in your speeches should come from your experience. For one thing, it's easier to remember. For another, telling jokes requires perfect timing and years of practice. Most of all, if you tell your own stories, it is much harder for anyone to steal your material (and woe betide them if you catch them doing it).

And if you think nothing funny ever happens to you, try keeping a notebook with you and jotting down anything that makes you laugh. The book will fill up quickly, and provide a mass of material for your speeches.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS...

"is my two front teeth" as the old song goes. OK, you are too young to remember the ditty, so take my word for it. However, if you asked a TV or radio producer what they want for Christmas, the response will very likely be "a guest to talk to".

Over the Christmas and New Year period, the media still operates, but guests are hard to find. It is often the easiest time to get on air, and because the audiences tend to be large, it can be a very good time too.

So, if you receive a call from a journalist, asking if you might be available for a chat in the next few days, say "yes" - even if it means missing a couple of hours dozing on the sofa in front of a repeat of that comedy show that you never really liked anyway.

BE A SOCIAL MEDIA SANTA

No, you don't need to wear the red suit and the beard. The characteristic to cultivate is giving gifts. That's what will make you a go-to person in your topic.

Next time you use Twitter or Facebook, think how you can give a gift, such as:

• A link to a great article
• A mention for someone with great idea
• Thanks to someone
• Re-tweeting a useful message
• Encouraging others to visit someone's site
• Suggesting people to "follow" or "friend"
• Keeping in touch with old friends
• Commenting on a photograph or video

Make someone happy this Christmas with a social media gift.

The school Nativity play is a lovely event. Sometimes the wee ones sing so softly you can hardly hear them. This video shows a little girl who was obviously told to "sing loudly" and took it very, very literally.

I can help

The information in this ezine may be freely re-used in any online or offline publication, provided it is accompanied by the following credit line - "This information was written by Alan Stevens, and originally appeared in "The MediaCoach", his free weekly ezine, available at www.mediacoach.co.uk."